Belron US to acquire vehicle glass repair and replacement assets of IGD Industries

Today, Belron US, operators of Safelite AutoGlass, the nation’s leading vehicle glass repair and replacement company, entered into an agreement to acquire all of the vehicle glass repair and replacement assets of IGD Industries, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, according to a Sept. 24 release. These businesses include Auto Glass Center Inc.; Auto Glass Center of Kansas Inc.; Arnie’s Auto Glass Center; Glass Installations LLC (DBA Midwest Auto Glass Center); JC’s Glass LLC; and Globe of Iowa LLC (DBA Nationwide Auto Glass) and Alliance Claims Solutions Inc.

“There are several reasons for our interest in these businesses,” said Tom Feeney, Belron US president and chief executive officer, in the release. “They have a distinguished history and employ talented people. Geographically they are a good fit with our existing business–with a strong presence primarily in the Midwest and Western regions of the United States. They also have a strong reputation for customer service, which fits with our philosophy around customer delight. In addition, their effective third party administration business serves similar customer segments as we do. All of this aligns well with our strategic direction.”

The transaction is expected to close on Sept. 30.

Until closing, Belron US and IGD Industries’ vehicle glass repair and replacement businesses will continue to operate as separate and independent entities and as competitors. After closing, the Belron US team will work closely with the leadership team of the acquired IGD businesses to create plans to integrate the businesses.

“We reached this decision based on Belron US’s growing business model and strategy,” said Steve Dummermuth, IGD Industries CEO, in the release. “The transaction will provide additional financial investments, a strong operating model, robust advertising and more opportunities for the employees of Auto Glass Center and Alliance Claims Solutions.”

IGD Industries, formerly Iowa Glass, has been in business since 1946. The company employs more than 900 in eight different business units and more than 450 employees in its vehicle glass repair and replacement business. It owns 80 retail shops, employs 200 technicians and served 220,000 customers in 2008, according to the release.

Belron US employs 8,500, owns 396 retail shops, employs 3,500 mobile service and repairtechniciansin 50 states, and served 3.1 million customers in 2008. Its manufacturing facility in Enfield, N.C., has the capacity to produce 1.5 million windshields annually, according to the release.